In this policy brief, the challenges and options for solid waste management (SWM) within the Philippine National Capital Region (NCR) are drawn from a study that looked into the relationship between national and local government units and the presence of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) as a regional administrative entity. Informed by institutionalist and governance frameworks, the study analyzed quantitative and qualitative data from various documentary sources, related literature, laws and policies, news, and secondary sources. The main parts of this policy brief include a discussion of the global context of SWM, a look at the implementation of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, a comparison with neighboring Asian examples (namely Malaysia and Japan), and an analysis of prospects for empowering the relationship between national and local government in the context of the NCR.